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Adam Pearson has resigned as chairman of Derby County amid rumours linking him with a return to Hull City.

Derby are currently in lower-mid table in the Championship, while Hull boss Phil Brown and chairman Paul Duffen are under increasing pressure and have been tipped to quit the Premier League strugglers.

"Surprising as it may seem, I have thoroughly enjoyed the two years I have spent at Derby County, despite not achieving the playing success on the pitch we had all hoped for and worked so hard for in that time," Pearson told the club's official website.

"It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with Nigel Clough over the past ten months. He is a manager in whom the supporters and Board can totally trust with the future of their club.

"I have no doubt at all that Nigel, supported by his staff, will go on to be a truly great manager for this football club and create his own legacy, in the footsteps of his father.

"Under Nigel Clough's management the wage bill is now under control, the squad size is under control, the Academy structure is solid and we have a management team in place who will take the team forward.

"I would like to thank Andy Appleby and the board for all their support over the last two years and also the rest of the investor group who have been so supportive and enthusiastic towards myself and the club.

"I would like to thank all the staff at Moor Farm and Pride Park for their support and help over the past two years; they are a very talented, dedicated group, who will get the success their efforts deserve.

"I wish the Directors, management, players, staff and most of all the supporters the very best and success for the future."

Former Hull City owner Pearson, 45, took over at Derby exactly two years ago, on October 29, 2007, after buying a majority share from then-owner Peter Gadsby.

He had previously been commercial director of Leeds United until 2001.

Pearson took Hull from administration and the lower reaches of League Two to a solid footing in the Championship, before selling to a consortium led by Duffen.

His time at Derby has been less successful - he took over five months after former manager Billy Davies had led them to a surprise promotion to the Premier League but one of his first acts was to replace the coach with Paul Jewell.

The Rams went straight back down with a record-low Premier League points tally and only one win all season and, the following campaign, were in danger of relegation from the Championship until Jewell quit to be replaced by Nigel Clough.

Hull, meanwhile, have been in freefall since making a bright start to life in the Premier League last season, lying in the drop zone and reportedly in financial trouble.

Reda Maher / Eurosport